Key facts
- The Metropolitan Police are investigating a £37,500 donation to Robert Jenrick's 2024 leadership campaign.
- The investigation follows a referral from the Electoral Commission.
- Allegations suggest the donation may have come from a foreign source, breaching electoral rules.
- Robert Jenrick, who has since joined Reform UK, denies any wrongdoing and states he was unaware of the donation's source.
- The donation was reportedly made through a UK company, The Spott Fitness, with potential links to US businessman Gary Klopfenstein.
Police have initiated an investigation into a £37,500 donation made to Robert Jenrick's campaign for Conservative leader in 2024. The inquiry stems from a referral by the Electoral Commission, which was examining allegations that the funds originated from a foreign source, a potential violation of UK electoral laws.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they launched the investigation following the referral on January 6, stating it concerns donations connected to a political party's leadership campaign and remains ongoing. Jenrick, who has since defected to Reform UK and serves as its Treasury spokesperson, has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them "entirely false" and stating he has had no contact with the police regarding the matter.
The Guardian had previously reported that the Electoral Commission received allegations suggesting the £37,500, part of a larger £100,000 donation from a UK company called The Spott Fitness, was ultimately provided by US businessman Gary Klopfenstein through a US company he founded. Such foreign contributions are prohibited under electoral law.
Jenrick has previously asserted that his campaign adhered to all electoral laws and that he was unaware of any foreign involvement or connection to Klopfenstein until the Electoral Commission began its inquiries. A spokesperson for Phillip Ullmann, a UK businessman previously thought to be the source of donations via The Spott Fitness, declined to comment but had previously stated he was transparent with the campaign.